Tax increase - will you emigrate?

Will a tax increase result in you emigrating?

  • I want to emigrate anyway, tax increase or not

    Votes: 64 38.8%
  • I want to stay, but a tax increase will push me over the edge and I will emigrate.

    Votes: 14 8.5%
  • I will stay, tax increase or not

    Votes: 17 10.3%
  • Other

    Votes: 11 6.7%
  • I want to, but can't

    Votes: 59 35.8%

  • Total voters
    165

Priapus

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
11,422
The impression I've gotten from some other threads is that tax increases drive away high earning individuals. In SA's demographics, most of MyBB members are relatively high earners.

Tax increases might be a very tiny part of the argument used by those leaving, as a reason. But in not the sole reason. People leave SA due to much more pressing issues, ranging from crime, education and better opportunities abroad. Like I say, those that are leaving, made their minds up long ago and it was not because of tax.
 

Sinbad

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
81,152
Tax increases might be a very tiny part of the argument used by those leaving, as a reason. But in not the sole reason. People leave SA due to much more pressing issues, ranging from crime, education and better opportunities abroad. Like I say, those that are leaving, made their minds up long ago and it was not because of tax.
The tax increase per se is not the issue. The fact that tax is stolen, squandered, pilfered, lost, wasted and otherwise pissed up against the wall is a major issue. Increasing the tax just adds insult to injury.
 

Johnatan56

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 23, 2013
Messages
30,957
Assets moved, about to book tickets, have a chat with my embassy booked this week to sort out flights/things I need to do. Planning to leave within March.
 
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WollieVerstege

Expert Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2016
Messages
1,879
The impression I've gotten from some other threads is that tax increases drive away high earning individuals. In SA's demographics, most of MyBB members are relatively high earners.
If you are truly a HNWI you have either already left or you have already hedged your finances in such a way to pay the minimum of taxes.
 

Creag

The Boar's Rock
Joined
May 19, 2009
Messages
43,527
Ridiculous thread. Like anyone would move because of a tax increase. People who want to leave, are leaving regardless of a tax increase or not.
Maybe, but it could be the tipping point.
 

bro-da

Expert Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
1,002
Bro already out - gonna follow with the folks as soon as makes sense. within the next year.

@Tander is right. long before this tax increase plans were already in place.

TBH it isnt even because of the tax many countries have high tax rates in the highest bracket:
Netherlands - 49.5%
Germany - 47.47%
Portugal - 53%
Canada - 54%

but what is done with the tax revenue and personal safety is the main reason. would gladly pay more tax if public transport worked for all and i felt safe to walk around.
 

The Voice

Honorary Master
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
15,699
Bro already out - gonna follow with the folks as soon as makes sense. within the next year.

@Tander is right. long before this tax increase plans were already in place.

TBH it isnt even because of the tax many countries have high tax rates in the highest bracket:
Netherlands - 49.5%
Germany - 47.47%
Portugal - 53%
Canada - 54%

but what is done with the tax revenue and personal safety is the main reason. would gladly pay more tax if public transport worked for all and i felt safe to walk around.

Exactly, even with higher tax rates in those countries, you can see how it's being spent on everything around you, in ways like free schooling, free health care, superior infrastructure, etc. Unlike SA, where it just lines someone else's pocket.
 

Peon

Expert Member
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Sep 28, 2006
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3,666
The impression I've gotten from some other threads is that tax increases drive away high earning individuals. In SA's demographics, most of MyBB members are relatively high earners.
Run that by me again? I couldn't even pay attention.
 

bro-da

Expert Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
1,002
Bit of a bad benchmark. The effective rate ends up being much lower in 1st world in my experience and you actually get something more tangible in return
100% agree - but for simplicity it just shows that even in a worse case scenario it may still be worth it.
 

Johnatan56

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 23, 2013
Messages
30,957
Bro already out - gonna follow with the folks as soon as makes sense. within the next year.

@Tander is right. long before this tax increase plans were already in place.

TBH it isnt even because of the tax many countries have high tax rates in the highest bracket:
Netherlands - 49.5%
Germany - 47.47%
Portugal - 53%
Canada - 54%

but what is done with the tax revenue and personal safety is the main reason. would gladly pay more tax if public transport worked for all and i felt safe to walk around.
Pretty sure their top tax rate is 45% which was introduced (I think) last year, and that's on anything above 270k EUR single and 540k EUR couple per year.
Unless that's including the solidarity surcharge (East/West Germany) that ends in the coming financial year?
 

koffiejunkie

Executive Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2004
Messages
9,588
Picked "other" since I'm already gone. Either way, I just want to point out that moving (your money/yourself/both) overseas doesn't put you outside of SARS' reach.
 

bro-da

Expert Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
1,002
Picked "other" since I'm already gone. Either way, I just want to point out that moving (your money/yourself/both) overseas doesn't put you outside of SARS' reach.

This is a really good point - do you know what would put you out of SARS reach?
 

Affieplaas

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
614
If it was as easy as selling your SA assets, packing your suitcase, making a marmalade sandwich and frikkadelle for padkos and getting on the first plane many people would have left.

The guys packing up and leaving are either those with second passports, the uber wealthy that can buy a golden visa or similar or the guys working for international firms who have managed to get a sponsorship.

For the rest of us, we are pretty much stuck here. At this point my view relating to our esteemed government is "bring it on fckrs". The ANC and their super intelligent supporters have pretty much done everything in their power to drag everyone down into the pit of despair and yet I am still alive.

Maybe this guy was right all along:
its-better-to-5a74d4.jpg
 
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